On October 29 and 30, a delegation from the University of Aachen and the BioeconomyREVIER cluster visited the universities of Pavia and Turin as part of the NODES project, strengthening collaboration between European academic and research institutions. The meeting saw the collaboration and participation of researchers from Spoke 2, 6 and 7, on Green and sustainability issues specific to our territory.
On the 29th, Giuseppina Sandri from the University of Pavia touched on the topic of smart packaging with a speech entitled Development of innovative materials for packaging and smart-packaging from waste products. The intervention was part of the day dedicated to innovation in the primary agro-industry and was organized in collaboration with Spoke 6.
The themes of Spoke 7 were also presented the following day, when the delegation met researchers at the University of Turin. Here, the researcher from the Polytechnic of Turin Diana Massai presented the challenges and opportunities of cultured meat as an alternative protein food to conventional meat produced through intensive farming as a sustainable, “healthy, green and smart” resource. He also provided an overview of the research network on cultured meat that is being created in Piedmont between the various regional universities, also thanks to the support of the Center for Studies and Research on Sustainable Food.
The meeting strengthened the dialogue between our universities and Aachen, highlighting the innovations that the territory is carrying forward in terms of sustainability in the secondary agro-industry sector.
On October 29th, a delegation from the University of Aachen and the BioeconomyREVIER cluster visited Pavia as part of the NODES project, strengthening collaboration between European academic and research institutions. Researchers from Spoke 6 participated in discussions on sustainable energy, innovative biosensors, and agricultural strategies.
Norma Anglani from the Department of Industrial and Information Engineering presented on developing agricultural energy hubs, focusing on microgrids to optimize energy consumption in farms, as part of the RM1 project under the flagship initiative "Formidabile." Lorenzo Pasotti and Michele Conti from the Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture showcased biosensors engineered from living materials using 3D bioprinting, useful for monitoring agro-industrial processes.
Graziano Rossi from the Department of Earth Sciences and Environment discussed vineyard management strategies in the face of climate change, suggesting alternative crops like olives and hazelnuts. The delegation also visited the Germplasm Bank at the Botanical Garden, guided by Francesco Ferrari, to explore genetic resource conservation.
In the afternoon, Pietro Galinetto and Maddelena Patrini from the Department of Physics introduced advanced optical sensing methods for vineyard management. Daniela Rossi presented techniques for extracting biologically active compounds from viticultural waste, with applications in sectors such as medicine and cosmetics.
The meeting reinforced dialogue between Pavia and Aachen, highlighting the importance of innovative solutions for sustainability in the primary agro-industrial sector.
On 30 and 31 October, a delegation of 9 people from the following research centres Centro di Ricerca di Jülich, Aachen Technical University, Competence Center Bio4MatPro, Technical University of Hamburg, Institute for Technology and Innovation Management visiting thanks to the German Regional Agency AGIT visited Turin as part of the NODES ecosystem, at the premises of the Department of Biotechnology of the University of Turin.
Thursday opened with institutional greetings and a presentation of the University of Turin's research ecosystem by the Full Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Turin Cristina Prandi.
The floor was then passed to Tiziana Dell'Olmo, representative of the Piedmont Region, who presented a speech entitled: ‘Piedmont Region: strategies for technology transfer and innovation in the Bioeconomy field’.
L'Ecosistema dell'Innovazione NODES è pronto a lanciare sul sito web la nuova sezione "PEOPLE": un canale per promuovere le persone coinvolte direttamente nel progetto.
L'iniziativa è pensata in particolare per il personale appositamente assunto su NODES, non già parte della massa critica: ricercatori a tempo determinato, dottorandi di ricerca, borsisti, assegnisti, tecnologi e tecnici della ricerca.
Nei prossimi giorni saranno inviati via email i questionari per inserire tutte le informazioni che riguardano il proprio lavoro e che si desidera condividere sul sito dell'Ecosistema: un'occasione per farsi conoscere e diventare ancor più protagoniste e protagonisti di quest'avventura.
“Inside the heart of Industrial Piemonte, to discover the value of those who create value” is the claim of the fifth edition of ''Open Factories'', the initiatives of the Region of Piemonte aimed at promoting the value of business culture and, in particular, the ''factory'' as an essential element of the social, entrepreneurial and professional wealth of Piemonte.
Also this year, the Bioindustry Park, partner of NODES' Spoke 5, participated together with 140 facilities across the region, which were exceptionally opened their doors for the occasion. The initiative allowed visitors to gain direct insight into industrial production sites and to ''experience firsthand'' the ability to transform ideas and projects into outstanding processes and products.
Over two afternoons, on October 24th and 25th, Colleretto Giacosa headquarters welcomed groups of visitors, predominantly young people interested in the reality of the Science and Technology Park. They were guided through an exploitation of the heart of biotechnological innovation, discovering advanced technologies for the health and life sciences sector.
Over 11.000 visitors registered, and 150 school classes organized a company visit.
The reality of the PArk was presented togeher with companies : Merck Serono, AorticLab, Bridge4pharma and Fondazione ITS Biotecnologie e Nuove Scienze della Vita Piemonte which accompained the participants on a visit to the laboratory with the help of teachers and students.
The event was co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), serving as an opportunity to showcase to citizens the various ways in which ERDF resources can be effectivaly utilized. It was organized in partnership with the NODES project - Innovation Ecosystem for a Digital and Sustainable Northwest, funded by the MUR - PNRR, D.D. n.1054.
Da giovedì 24 a sabato 26 Ottobre 2024 si è tenuta la quinta edizione di Fabbriche Aperte Piemonte, iniziativa della Regione Piemonte che ha permesso di visitare gratuitamente i luoghi della produzione industriale del territorio piemontese.
Più di 140 stabilimenti hanno aperto le loro porte, permettendo al grande pubblico di scoprire il valore che si nasconde dentro i luoghi, le fabbriche, gli stabilimenti e i laboratori che rappresentano le eccellenze economiche e tecnologiche del territorio.
L’Ecosistema dell'innovazione NODES - Nord Ovest Digitale E Sostenibile - ha partecipato all’iniziativa attraverso alcuni importanti partners di progetto che, grazie a Fabbriche Aperte Piemonte, hanno potuto far conoscere i i loro parchi scientifici tecnologici, la ricerca e le innovazioni: BIOINDUSTRY PARK SILVANO FUMERO sui temi della salute umana ed ENVIRONMENT PARK su sostenibilità ambientale come motore di competitività.
Buon successo anche per le imprese protagoniste dei Progetti finanziati attraverso i Bandi a Cascata dell’Ecosistema NODES, che, durante le giornate, hanno aperto le loro porte e messo a disposizione interessanti percorsi di visita:
Dr. Alessandra Audisio from the Politecnico di Torino was awarded the Best Scientific Work for her innovative technique to monitor mobility in everyday life environments.
In the splendid setting of the hotel ''La Palma di Stresa'', overlooking Lake Maggiore, the MOVEWISE project was presented to the Italian Society for Movement Analysis in Clinics(of which Prof. Cereatti is the president) during the XXIV National Congress.
The project of the Research Module 3 of the flagship project TINCARE, aims to develop a wearable system for monitoring mobility parameters most related to the risk of falls in everyday life. The dissemination took place in oral form and through poster, presented by ing. Marco Caruso, by dr. Marco Boldreghini, by prof. Valentina Agostini and by prof Andrea Cereatti, who facilitated a rich discussion with colleagues and experts in the field.
The most exciting news, however, was the awarding of thE SIAMOC 2024 Best Works Society Prize to dr. Alessandra Audisio, a young PhD student at the Polytechnic University of Turin in Prof. Cereatti's group, in collaboration with engineers Daniele Fortunato, Paolo Tasca and Marco Caruso. Her study within the MOVEWISE project, titled ''Validation of a new method for center of mass trajectory estimation in simulated daily life activities based on inertial and barometric pressure data fusion'', has allowed a significant advancement in reconstructing the vertical displacement of the center of mass during daily activities using inertial and environmental pressure sensors through advanced sensor fusion techniques, thus overcoming previous technological limitations. Thanks to the recognition received, the work will undergo a fast-track review process for publication in the prestigious Journal of Biomechanics.
Anyone who need more information can send an email to andrea.cereatti@polito.it.
On Thursday 24 October, in Potenza, at the Macchia Romana University Campus of the University of Basilicata, Spoke 2 - Green Technologies and Sustainable Industries and Spoke 4 - Digital and Sustainable Mountain organised with the partner University of Basilicata the event ‘Ideas and Projects of Innovation and Sustainability in Motion’. A day full of speeches, round tables, poster sessions and pitches by the winning companies of the NODES ‘Line A Mezzogiorno’ cascade calls, which illustrated the projects and the first results obtained so far. A meeting where new connections were made between the protagonists of change and innovation in the South!
An in-depth look at the many facets of Electro, the Spoke 1 Flagship Project for electric mobility.
In the Green Economy Guide published in the Scenari supplement of Il Sole 24 Ore, it is possible to discover the research lines of the Flagship Project, which follow the trajectories of electric mobility with a wide spectrum, in order to cover the widest possible number of the technological needs of the market.
The Electro Flagship contains multiple research teams, working on different strategic areas and components of electric vehicles, which together lead to an integrated common proposal, which aims to support the change imposed on the entire supply chain. In fact, research ranges from the development of devices, to new innovative materials, to the study of business models and commercial developments.
Electro is coordinated by the Politecnico di Torino, partnering with University of Turin, Links Foundation and the Università di Catania.
The article can be found at page 14 at the link below:
Green Economy Guide (ITA)
On 24 October 2024, the event “Sustainability and Digitalisation in Agro-Industry” was held at the Gran Torre Hotel in Oristano as part of the Roadshow Mezzogiorno. Among the key speakers, Prof. Alberto S. Atzori from the University of Sassari presented the Formidable project, focused on digital innovation in agro-livestock. Dr. Giorgio Todde, an Open Innovation Specialist from the same university, discussed digitalisation and innovation in the primary sector. This was followed by Eng. Lucia Marazzi from the University of Pavia, who explained the cascading funding schemes Spoke6 and 7 under the Mezzogiorno Line.
A roundtable followed, where various companies showcased their innovative projects. Key participants included Iosef Cigagna from Drop S.r.l., who presented the “DAIRY LIFE PRO” project; Giuseppe Diana from C.A.O. Formaggi, who discussed “DIGICAO”; and Marta Polimeno from Agrigeos S.r.l., who presented “SPIDPAP.” Additionally, Emanuele Gosamo and Maurizio Naletto from Primo Principio S.c.a.r.l. introduced “GAINS,” while Sofia Matia Lilli from Agricolus S.r.l. discussed “CEBUS.” Gianluigi Demuro from Studio-A Automazione S.r.l. concluded the session by presenting the “MICENE” project, on behalf of Spoke 7.
The event served as a valuable platform for dialogue among universities, companies, and stakeholders in the agricultural sector. It highlighted how new technologies and sustainability initiatives are transforming the agro-industry in Southern Italy. Following a Q&A session, the event concluded with a networking lunch, providing participants with the opportunity to further explore the topics discussed and establish new collaborations.
On 24 October 2024, the event “Sustainability and Digitalisation in Agro-Industry” was held at the Gran Torre Hotel in Oristano as part of the Roadshow Mezzogiorno. Among the key speakers, Prof. Alberto S. Atzori from the University of Sassari presented the Formidable project, focused on digital innovation in agro-livestock. Dr. Giorgio Todde, an Open Innovation Specialist from the same university, discussed digitalisation and innovation in the primary sector. This was followed by Eng. Lucia Marazzi from the University of Pavia, who explained the cascading funding schemes SP6 and SP7 under the Mezzogiorno Line.
A roundtable followed, where various companies showcased their innovative projects. Key participants included Iosef Cigagna from Drop S.r.l., who presented the “DAIRY LIFE PRO” project; Giuseppe Diana from C.A.O. Formaggi, who discussed “DIGICAO”; and Marta Polimeno from Agrigeos S.r.l., who presented “SPIDPAP.” Additionally, Emanuele Gosamo and Maurizio Naletto from Primo Principio S.c.a.r.l. introduced “GAINS,” while Sofia Matia Lilli from Agricolus S.r.l. discussed “CEBUS.” Gianluigi Demuro from Studio-A Automazione S.r.l. concluded the session by presenting the “MICENE” project.
The event served as a valuable platform for dialogue among universities, companies, and stakeholders in the agricultural sector. It highlighted how new technologies and sustainability initiatives are transforming the agro-industry in Southern Italy. Following a Q&A session, the event concluded with a networking lunch, providing participants with the opportunity to further explore the topics discussed and establish new collaborations.
Theme of the exchange: the links between food production and environmental and social sustainability
The Appl[e]ause project lands overseas. Researchers Raffaele Passaro and Cristian Campagnaro of Spoke 7, referents of the Polito Food Design Lab of the Polytechnic of Turin were guests of the Camara de Comercio de Bogotà and CAINCO of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. The initiative was part of the triangular cooperation project Adelante 2.
The visit was an opportunity to focus on the exchange of good circular practices carried out by companies in the three countries and supported by the relevant Chambers of Commerce: it was possible to present the Appl[e]ause research at the UPSA - Universidad Privada de Santa Cruz de la Sierra - and the Camara Gastronomica of CAINCO.
Two distinct moments – within the CAINCO greenweek – designed to disseminate research, as a good practice, for the valorization of by-products of fruit processing and establish a dialogue aimed at stimulating discussion on the topic of environmental sustainability and social of food production processes.
Pics by: Doriana Dal Palù, Osvaldo Daniel Gutierrez Sumoya
ERSAF has completed a crucial phase of soil investigations as part of the flagship Spoke6 "VINO" project, aimed at supporting viticulture in the Oltrepò Pavese by creating soil suitability maps in relation to current climatic conditions. These activities, outlined in Task 1.2 "Suitability maps for actual climatic conditions at macro scale," are essential for identifying the region's viticultural potential and guiding agricultural and territorial management decisions.
ERSAF's soil investigations focus on describing a defined number of soil profiles in the mountainous area of the Oltrepò Pavese, with the goal of producing a large-scale map of the region's pedological units. This detailed analysis is fundamental for expanding knowledge of key soil parameters and evaluating the potential for viticultural development in the southern part of the area.
During the spring and summer of 2023, ERSAF conducted a series of preliminary drillings to identify the different soil types in the area. Based on these surveys, a detailed description of the soil profiles was then carried out, allowing the collection of key information on characteristics such as colour, structure, texture, root presence, macropores, and other pedogenetic features. Additionally, mottling due to oxidation-reduction processes and secondary concentrations of carbonates and other minerals were observed.
Between August 2023 and August 2024, 11 soil profiles were described and sampled, with chemical-physical analyses currently underway in the laboratory. These analyses, conducted on samples taken from various horizons of each profile, will provide detailed data that will complement field observations, enabling a more precise understanding of the soils' suitability for viticulture.
The ultimate goal of this study is to support more effective management of the Oltrepò Pavese's viticultural landscape, providing scientific data useful for agricultural planning and soil management. The results of ERSAF's investigations will create a clearer picture of the soil's potential for viticulture in the area, helping inform future decisions for the sustainable development of vineyards in the region.
On 10 October, the first edition of the NODES Academy - Primary Agro-Industry, organised by ComoNEXT, commenced with an initial session held at the Museum of Electrical Engineering at the University of Pavia. The event was attended by NODES researchers interested in developing entrepreneurial skills, with projects and ideas related to the themes of primary agro-industry.
During the first day, the training programme was initiated, including the definition of objectives and the presentation of participants and teams. Additionally, the first lesson on Business Model Canvas (BMC) and Value Proposition Canvas was held, featuring practical exercises. This approach provided participants with the necessary tools to develop innovative business strategies applicable to their research projects and ideas related to the agro-industry sector.
Among the teams of industrial Proof of Concepts (POCs) participating in the NODES Academy under Spoke 6 are projects such as DigiNut, DigiMilk, Demetra, BioRestart, and Sapevo, focused on innovative solutions for sustainability and the digitalisation of agro-industry. Also participating is the team from the WakeUp POC (Spoke 2) and a NODES PhD student working on the flagship project VINO, contributing innovative skills and ideas for the sustainable management of natural resources and the improvement of agro-food supply chains.
The NODES Academy represents an important opportunity to provide researchers with the necessary tools to develop innovative business strategies applicable to their projects related to the primary agro-industry sector.
